October 27, 2017

    AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    An avalanche involvement on Redline Glacier Oct 21, 2017. MIN report below.   Al Ducros Pic?

    An avalanche in Mongolia has killed 17 climbers.  Story in article section below.               Net Pic

    An avalanche on Mount Blanc has killed a climber, article below.                                      Net Pic

    If there is enough snow to ride there is enough snow to slide, Sr-- Kananaskis Area     KCPSS pic


     PAST WEEK:

    Saturday October 21, 2017. -4 Winds 10-30 SE at 07:30 Hrs.

    Sunday morning October 22, 2017. As of 07:45 Hrs -1.6, winds were 30-80KPH. Sunrise 07:45.

    Monday morning October 23, 2017. -2 at 1835 meters.

    Tuesday morning October 24, 2017 +5 at 07:00 Hrs.

    Sunrise was at 07:49 Hrs, Tuesday morning.

    Wednesday morning October 25, 2017. Warm and moist. 2.2 mm recorded at 660 meters. +5 Deg

    Thursday morning October 26, 2017.  +1 at 08:00 Hrs, High of 12 deg at 16:00 Hrs.



Weather Observations for October 27, 2017 taken at 07:00 Hours.

2180 meters    +9, Winds were 25-45 KPH W    --Whistler peak
1860 meters  +12, Winds were 15-25 KPH NNE--Rendevous
1550 meters    +6, RH 53%--Catskinner 

  660 meters    +2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +11.8, 0.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

    As of 07:00 Hrs we have clear skies and unlimited visibility, sunrise will be at 07:54 Hrs.

FORECAST:

A blocking ridge will bring warm weather and clear skies to the area today in a Northerly flow aloft. The ridge will persist into Tuesday of next week, with warm temperatures, mostly sunny skies and some cloud development. A cooler moist flow is expected by next Wednesday- Thursday. There are some inconsistencies in the models so only time will tell. In the meantime enjoy the hit of seasonably warm daytime temperatures.

    IR image from this am.

    High for today.

    Warm high for Saturday with the FL at 4000+ meters.

    High moves to the North on Sunday, should see some cloud develop.

    High surrounded by many lows into early next week.

    Low migrates West for Wednesday into Thursday.

    Low will influence the area on Friday as well.

MONDAY OCTOBER 30, 2017 Weather Update:

A strong upper level ridge will strengthen today with clear skies in a Northeasterly flow aloft. Tuesday is also looking like a nice day with clouds likely rolling in tomorrow afternoon. A weak Arctic cold front will push through on Wednesday with unsettled weather transitioning to cloudier skies with some light precipitation. Thursday is looking cloudy with a lowering freezing level and light to moderate snowfall to the valley. At this time Friday is looking unsettled with cold temperatures. The first arctic outbreak of the year may bring clear cold weather for next weekend. More on that in Friday's post.

    High rebuilds today.

    Fairly large Pacific High.

    Looking nice Tuesday with a low moving into the zone by the evening.

    Upper level low will push in Wednesday and Thursday.

    Cold air from the Northeast pushes in Thursday into next weekend.




OBSERVATIONS & INFORMATION:

    Avalanche Canada Foundation Fundraiser Click > Spin for Snow Safety

    Atmospheric river # 3 Saturday October 21, 2017. Most of the precip went south. Oregon slammed

    Alpine temperatures went from -7 early Saturday am to -1 at 22:30 Hrs.

    More snow to the valley on Saturday, 12.7 mm of precip recorded at 660 meters.

    Sunday afternoon, 5.3 mm recorded at 660 meters.

    Monday,  High pressure beginning to push North with a large warm air mass. A dry day!!

    Melt freeze cycle Monday night. Image taken on Tuesday afternoon. Thin crust on north slopes

    Ipsoot Glacier. Very warm on Tuesday, Hi of +10 at 1850 meters.

    Tuesday was a welcome day after all the recent wet weather.

    Weak cold front pushed through on Wednesday morning..

    Unsettled Wednesday afternoon. 2.2 mm recorded at 660 meters.

    High pressure building Thursday.

    Fall colours Thursday.

    Blue bird on Thursday with a valley high of +11.8.



VIDEO FRIDAY:

Decisions, Distractions, and Reflections: Kevin Grove

Ski cut from last October in France: Tof Henry


ARTICLES:

17 climbers killed in an avalanche on Otgontenger: Mongolia

Avalanche involvement Redline Glacier Oct 21, 2017: Avalanche Canada MIN Report

Avalanche season begins: Kananskis Country

An avalanche on Mount Blanc has killed a climber: France

Early Season Avalanche Conditions: Avalanche Canada

How social media can lead to Avalanche Accidents: Adventure Journal

Older article, but important info on Managing Risk & Responsibility: Backcountry Magazine

Early season weather lays the foundation for winter snowpack stability: Mountain Sledder

La Nina, El Nino & Your Ski Season: Off-Piste

Paper on rainwater propagation through the snowpack: European Geosciences Union